'Sorry brothers': Pope Francis sides with Mexico

'Some have considered your values, culture and traditions to be inferior...You have much to teach us.'

During Mass on Monday, with representatives of Mexico's indigenous communities, Pope Francis condemned those who exploited their lands and populations, then apologized for how the Church failed the country.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - During the Monday Mass in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Pope Francis spoke of Mexico's struggles and spoke highly of the elders present.

"Some have considered your values, cultures, and traditions inferior," Pope Francis said. "Others, dizzy with power, money and the laws of the market, have stripped you of your lands and then contaminated it.

"How well we would all do, to do some soul searching and learn to say sorry."

His Holiness paused long enough for the message to sink in, before saying, "Sorry brothers. We can no longer pretend to be deaf in the face of one of the greatest environmental crises in history. In this you have much to teach, to teach mankind. 

"You know how to maintain a harmonious relationship with nature, and respect it as a source of food, a common home, and an altar for how to share resources among people."

The pontiff continued, speaking highly of the robust Mexican people, and referring to the drug wars, corrupt Church and loss of humanitarian rights.

During his visit, Pope Francis announced the Vatican's approval of the use of local languages for liturgical prayer, two of which - Tzotzil and Tzeltal - were used for some readings and prayers during his Mass.

Following his homily, which was read in Spanish, it was translated to Mayan.

Andrew Chesnut, religious studies professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, said Pope Francis' message was an echo of "Liberation Theology's call to build a kingdom of heaven here on Earth. A society characterized by Christian solidarity, fraternity, and social inclusion that serves as a steward of our sacred mother earth, which the Indians have [reputedly] done so well."

Sadly, Mexico is a country of bountiful resources, but pollution, inequality, corruption, rampant crime rate and continued discrimination has disabled what could otherwise be a prosperous nation.

Indigenous activist Mardonio Carballo told VICE News, "The Pope came to tell us that the Mexican state should apologize, the way he did. I think it is a very important action in Mexico where most Mexicans, as well as the political class and the majority of the church, do not want to look at indigenous people.

"What he said is historic, because of who he is. But for there to be real change, there has to be a change of attitude towards indigenous people, and real political [sic] will help them obtain justice after so many years of abuse and exploitation."

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